July 10, 2012

Change on the way: Campus improvements take center stage

With summer in full force, Kansas State University is experiencing another season: construction season.

"To become a top 50 public research university by 2025 we've started a lot of groundwork -- literally," said Kirk Schulz, university president. "Making sure the university's facilities and infrastructure can meet the evolving needs of the K-State community is a 2025 pillar and is crucial to maintain as we benchmark our campus against those of our future peers."

Current and future projects include:

* Ackert Hall -- Replacing the building's emergency electrical system, chiller and deck for the greenhouse will begin in the fall.

* Basketball Training Facility -- To be completed by early fall, it will be a Title IX-compliant structure and include men's and women’s locker rooms; two regulation-sized practice courts; offices; and sports medicine, laundry and weight-training facilities.

* Bill Snyder Family Stadium -- The second phase of the stadium's renovations will be completed in August 2013, creating additional premium seating and updating ancillary support areas that include: improved broadcasting space and equipment; restrooms; concessions; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; Americans with Disabilities Act access; and life safety.

* Campus housing projects -- A variety of projects that include: Derby Dining Center renovation; Ford Hall heating, ventilation and air conditioning improvements; Jardine Apartment Complex, where three new apartment buildings are scheduled for completion in August, as well as roof and deck repairs on existing units; Moore Hall convector unit replacement and paving for grease trap clean out; Pittman Building server room for heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrade; and West Hall heating, ventilation and air conditioning improvements.

* Campus lactation rooms -- The university is creating space for breastfeeding mothers. Rooms have been completed in Anderson, Leasure, Umberger and Willard halls and the Leadership Studies Building. Plans are under way for additional rooms in Dickens and Trotter halls, the Natatorium and the K-State Student Union.

* Campus master plan- - A professional firm is updating the campus master plan, with many campus groups meeting to define the campus of the future. The first phase of this process will be completed by early fall.

* Campus tunnels -- The first phase of installing new lighting in the Manhattan campus tunnels is complete.

* Chemical waste landfill -- The removal and disposal of stored chemical waste is complete. Monitoring of the site will continue.

* Dairy barn walk-in coolers -- Work is under way to replace coolers used for research.

* Dole Hall -- Modifications are being made to the southwest side of Dole for the relocation of printing services, which will move from its current location near the Manhattan airport.

* Durland Hall -- Renovation of 5,337 square feet of chemical engineering lab space has begun. It is funded by a $1.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Remaining project funds will come from sponsored research overhead.

* Grain Science Center feed mill -- Construction of the new feed mill will soon begin. It is a joint effort between two K-State departments: grain science and industry and animal sciences and industry. The new facility will replace the feed-production capability provided by the current feed mill and will significantly enhance the research capacity of both departments.

* Hale Library -- The first phase of replacing the sprinkler system will begin in fall.

* Infrastructure projects -- A variety of projects are under way or will start soon, including the integration of marketing and signage policies as part of the campus master plan; updating the main campus power distribution and support project for future power needs; renovation of the Mosier Hall plaza; and moving the wood-fired art kiln shelter, with the kiln to be rebuilt this fall.

* James R. Macdonald Laboratory -- The lab is being updated to allow for new equipment and work is nearly complete.

* Justin Hall -- The 16,000-square-foot addition to the College of Human Ecology is nearly complete.

* K-State Student Union -- A portion of the billiards room in the basement is being renovated into office space for Powercat Financial Counseling.

* Parking lots -- A17, which is south of Umberger Hall, and B18, which is west of the Center for Child Development, are undergoing reconstruction. Construction at A17 was paused but will resume on July 11. Both lots are schedule to reopen in August.

* The Peters Recreation Center -- The expansion project will be completed by November. A related project to update the tennis court area to an outdoor recreation area and equipment checkout facility will begin soon.

* Roof work is being done or is scheduled for Anderson, Umberger and Ward halls.

* Remodeling projects -- Departmental office and instructional lab renovations are under way at Calvin, Dykstra, Nichols, Seaton, Thompson, Umberger and Willard halls, the Kansas State University Foundation and McCain Auditorium. Telecom rooms are being added in Ahearn Field House as well as Bluemont, Durland, Umberger, Waters and Willard halls. Restrooms and hallways are being renovated in Leasure and Shellenberger halls.

* Seaton 110 is being demolished and will be replaced with a basic structure.

* Thompson Hall -- Plans are under way for a replacement of the hall's fume hood.

* Utility meters -- The addition of utility meters to nearly all campus buildings is nearly complete. It will enable further energy management. This project used stimulus funds made available by the Kansas Corporation Commission.

* Ward Hall -- Nearly completed, the building power and chilled water are being updated for research capabilities.

* Waters Hall -- The addition of an elevator in an existing shaft will improve accessibility. The building's windows were recently replaced, and the building's electrical supply will also be updated. Improvements are being made through a private donation.

* Projects off the Manhattan campus -- K-State Research and Extension has a number of active projects under way, including work on a greenhouse complex at the Agricultural Research Center in Hays; and new facilities at the John C. Pair Horticulture Center and at the Southeast Kansas Agricultural Center. K-State Salina is updating the Student Life Center and the Technology Assistance Center, and designs are under way for an apartment complex. The Konza Prairie Biological Station is building foundations for modular housing to support additional researchers.